Approved Document S Frequently Asked Questions – EV Charging Infrastructure Guidance
This guidance, published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), provides formal clarification on the implementation of Approved Document S in England. It serves as a supplementary reference to the Building Regulations 2010, addressing specific technical queries regarding the installation of infrastructure for charging electric vehicles. The document applies to the 2021 edition of the standards and was published in April 2023.
The scope of these frequently asked questions covers both residential and non-residential developments, detailing how charge points and cable routes must be integrated into new and existing buildings. Key regulatory domains addressed include the definition of associated parking spaces, the determination of site boundaries, and the pro-rata allocation of communal parking. It further clarifies legal exemptions under Regulation 44D and technical specifications for installation practicalities such as metering, smart functionality, and space requirements.
The following sections provide structured data drawn directly from the guidance to assist architects, structural engineers, and developers in maintaining compliance with the statutory requirements for electric vehicle infrastructure.
Associated Parking Spaces and Site Boundaries
The requirements of Approved Document S apply only to buildings with an associated parking space. The document provides specific criteria for determining association and geographic scope.
- Associated Space: To be considered associated, a parking space must be available for use by the occupant or visitors of the building and be located within the site boundary.
- Site Boundary: This is defined at the point of depositing full plans, building notices, or initial notices. It encompasses land owned or controlled by the same party that owns or controls the land on which the building is being constructed.
- Separated Spaces: Parking spaces separated from a dwelling by land under different ownership, such as an existing adopted road or footpath, are generally not considered to be within the site boundary.
In developments with communal facilities, parking spaces may be assigned to buildings on a pro-rata basis. For example, in a block of flats with communal parking, the number of associated spaces for each block can be determined by the total number of dwellings in each building.
Residential Building Thresholds for Cable Routes
The document clarifies how the threshold for providing cable routes applies to different housing types to simplify future installations and minimise disruption.
- 10-Space Threshold: Additional cable routes are required for all associated parking spaces without charge points if there are more than 10 associated parking spaces for a new residential building.
- Detached and Terraced Houses: For the purposes of these regulations, the 'building' is typically considered to be the individual dwelling. Therefore, the 10-space threshold is unlikely to apply unless an individual dwelling has more than 10 spaces for its sole use.
- Blocks of Flats: For apartments with communal facilities, the whole block is considered the 'building'. In this scenario, the 10-space threshold relates to the parking spaces for the entire block.
Exemptions and the Connection Cost Cap
Exemptions may apply based on the financial feasibility of electrical connections as outlined in Regulation 44D.
- Connection Cost Threshold: A developer is not required to install a charge point if the average connection cost exceeds £3,600 per connection.
- Definition of Cost: The connection cost includes upgrades needed to the electricity system to accommodate a charge point, but excludes the cost of the charge point itself and general building work.
- Maximum Installation Rule: If the average sum across a development exceeds the threshold, the developer must still install the maximum number of charge points possible that can be achieved at an average sum of £3,600 or less.
Installation Practicalities and Smart Regulations
Technical standards for hardware and electrical configurations must comply with broader safety and consumer protection regulations.
- Smart Charge Points: All private charge points sold in Great Britain must comply with The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, which require smart functionality to manage electricity demand.
- Metering: A single meter supplying multiple charge points is acceptable in communal areas where individual dwelling connections are impractical.
- Street Furniture: Cable routes may terminate adjacent to street furniture such as lampposts, provided the location meets the requirements of paragraph 6.7 for future charge point fitting.
- Covered Parking: Buildings with only covered parking are exempt from installing charge points but must provide cable routes as per Section 6 of Approved Document S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a charge point required if the building has no parking space?
No, the requirements only apply where a building has an associated parking space as defined in Approved Document S.
What is the connection cost cap for EV charger exemptions?
A developer is exempt from installing a charge point if the extra connection cost to the electricity system averages more than £3,600 per charger across the development.
Does the 10-space threshold for cable routes apply to individual houses?
For semi-detached or terraced houses, the building is considered to be the individual dwelling, so the cable route requirement for more than 10 spaces rarely applies at the dwelling level.
Can one charge point serve multiple parking spaces?
Yes, a single charge point with multiple outlets may serve more than one space, provided each outlet can be used simultaneously and meets the minimum requirements of Approved Document S.
Are covered parking spaces exempt from these regulations?
Buildings with only covered parking are exempt from installing the charge points themselves but must still provide cable routes to facilitate future installation.
Who regulates the smart functionality of EV chargers?
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021.
How are communal parking spaces allocated in blocks of flats?
Spaces may be assigned to buildings on a pro-rata basis based on the number of dwellings in each building to calculate required charge points and cable routes.
What defines the site boundary for EV charging requirements?
The site boundary is determined at the point of depositing plans and includes land owned or controlled by the same party as the building site.
